One of my favorite parables...

As I read this reflection this morning I thought of how at one time or another in my life I have been the seed described in this lesson by Jesus as written in the Gospel of Mark.

Women in the Garden

Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding. Let any one with ears to hear, listen.
Mark 4:1-9

In the beginning, God created--formed us from rich, red earth. Created in God's own image, we are good earth, God's earth. God speaks like falling seeds and rain. "I have made you, you are mine. I am your Rock and Redeemer. I will bless you and be merciful."

Jesus, the Good Seed, is scattered into us. Listen, he says, listen! "Your faith has made you whole. Your sins are forgiven. I have come for sinners. I am the resurrection and the life."

Sometimes our good soil is trampled by heavy traffic and the seeds of love are snatched away. Sometimes there are hard and rocky places and tender plants of trust wither. Sometimes our good soil is overgrown with other demands, responsibilities, spirits, or messages and there is no room for Jesus. Always there is good soil where the cross and Jesus are planted, surrounded by a brilliant array of flower and fruits. The garden is lavish, abundant and ready to be given to others. We live in God's garden of good seed and good soil. We are in the middle of a spectrum of hearty plants that stretch to every horizon.

Spirit of God, cultivate our good soil and give a bumper crop that others may share in all your good gifts.

Eleanore Sudbrock

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It seems that my analogy of the "gathering of the fruits and nuts" yesterday was not too far off. We are to BE the fruits of our labors and a gift of thanksgiving to Our Father, through His Son, Jesus!

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Thanks be to God!!!

Dessert and More...

I thought of two things this morning when I was baking desert for after tonight's Bible Study . First, that this group of 12 dedicated people gather each week to share their thoughts and love of the Gospel. And in the center of the table is always dried fruit and nuts and lots of water (I'm not saying we are a verbose group, but it's not all salted nuts). Second, that the desserts invariably have fruit in them...thus, a gathering of fruits and nuts...

Any way, I am going to share with you tonight's "fruit desert" because it's easy and it is really good!!!

It's from a wonderful cookbook called Delightfully Southern Recipes by Lucy M. Clark.

Mandarin Orange Refrigerator Cake

1 Box Duncan Hines yellow butter cake mix 1 can Mandarin oranges, drained and chopped
4 eggs Icing (recipe follows)
1/2 cup Crisco oil

Combine eggs, oil and cake mix until moistened. Beat about 4 minutes on medium speed. Fold in Mandarin oranges. Bake in 3 layers at 350 degrees [according to box directions] until done .
(I bake it in a 9"x13" baking dish,)

ICING
1 small box instant vanilla pudding mix 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple,
1 (12-ounce) carton Cool Whip, thawed well drained

Combine ingredients and ice cake layers, top and sides. Keep refrigerated.

Finally, I leave you with this bit of wisdom at the end of the page, "Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the harvest of love." God bless you all this and every day!!

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Thanks be to God!